These frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be updated and added to periodically. Do you have a question? E-mail reopening@niskyschools.org.
Q. In grades K-6, can I only send my child to school on days that they will receive livestream instruction and have them watch the livestream at home on the alternate days when they would be watching it in school?
A. We are offering an in-person/hybrid model and an option for all-remote learning that families can choose. The benefit of being in school are all of the interactions that can take place with teachers, other adults and classmates. The goal of any class group, in any year, is for students to form a connection with each other, learn together and grow as individuals and a group. Our goal is to create a learning community and a learning community has to be together in a consistent format to thrive. Being at school also provides access to and opportunities for a variety of services such as in-person meetings with mental health professionals, the school nurse, and school meals. Our plan also provides for proximity between a teacher and all of their students that has benefits. For these reasons, we are not offering an option for students to attend in-person only on days that they are in the room with their teacher.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. Why can’t students in grades 7-12 receive live instruction virtually on the days they are not at school?
A. At present, we do not have all grade 7-12 classrooms outfitted for livestreaming. We are exploring the possibility of doing this, which would enable students in these grades to attend live class sessions each day (at school one day and remote the next, etc.). If we are unable to outfit all of the rooms with livestreaming, we will need to go with the approach that calls for independent learning on the days when students are not at school.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What is the status of the remote learning option for families? Has the district decided which model students will use if their families decide that they will engage in remote learning only?
A. For grades K-6, students whose families opt for all-remote learning will join class meetings via the same livestream as the group of students who are not with their teacher on a given day. The classroom teacher will be teaching to students in the room, students in another room in the school and any students in the class whose families have opted for remote-only learning. For grades 7-12, students whose families opt for all-remote learning will follow their course schedule the same way that students attending in-person will.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. Will livestreams be two-ways, i.e. will teachers and students be able to interact when students are joining remotely?
A. Yes. This is an interactive medium. Students who are joining a class stream, whether from another room at school (K-6) or at home, are joining a class meeting where they can interact with their teacher and others.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What is the deadline to notify the district that my family is opting for all-remote learning?
A. The deadline is close of business on Monday, August 25. If you are opting for all-remote learning, please contact Christine Perrella in the Office of Instruction at cperrella@niskyschools.org or (518) 377-4666 x50703.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. If a family chooses an all-remote format, can they opt in to the in-person/hybrid program?
A. Yes, but only at designated intervals. Families who choose the all-remote option who would like to switch to the in-person/hybrid format will be able to do so at the 10-week point provided they notify the Office of Instruction by the fifth week of the marking period.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. If a family chooses to participate in the in-person/hybrid model, can they choose the all-remote format at any time?
A. Yes. Going from in-person to remote can take place at any time. If you are opting for all-remote learning, please contact Christine Perrella in the Office of Instruction at cperrella@niskyschools.org or (518) 377-4666 x50703. Please note that once you opt for all-remote learning, you cannot opt back to in-person learning until a designated time frame.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What are students in grades 7-12 doing on the days when they are not at school in-person?
A. If we are able to outfit all grade 7-12 classrooms with livestream technology, students will attend live class sessions every day (in school and joining remotely on alternating days). If this does not become feasible, students who are at home will need to log-in to a class meeting for homeroom. Their school work will be structured so that they are working independently on assignments on those days. Our expectation is these will be active learning days, with students doing assignments, working with other students virtually at the time and connecting with teachers virtually as the schedule allows. Students will also be able to check in with staff members supporting social and emotional needs on those days as well.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What is the first day of school for students?
A. The first day for students is Tuesday, Sept. 8. More specific details about the start of school will be provided based on grade levels. August 31, Sept. 1, 2, and 3 will be staff days.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. When will elementary students have recess or be able to to socialize?
A. While this year will be different, students will still be able to socialize with each other in class and at other times during the day as appropriate while wearing masks and utilizing social distancing. Elementary students will have recess every day after lunch.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What is the process for opting out of transportation? What else should I be aware of in terms of transportation?
Students in families who indicated on the Returning Student Registration form that they will not be using district transportation will not be scheduled for a bus. If you indicated that you will not be using district transportation and your situation changes and you now need a bus, please contact Transportation Director Mary Mabb at mary.mabb@neric.org. Additionally, please note that there can only be one pickup and one dropoff location for each student. (These pickup and dropoff locations can be different, such as when a student is picked up at home in the morning and goes to another location after school each day.) At least one week notice is required for all transportation changes.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. If a mask is required at all times except for eating, why are class sizes being reduced? Aren’t masks to be used when you can’t social distance?
Social distancing to the greatest extent possible is required by the New York State Department of Health’s Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at PreK-12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Pandemic (7/13/20). The guidance states, “Specifically, appropriate PPE means, at least, an acceptable face covering, which is strongly recommended to be worn by all individuals at all times but is required to be worn any time or place that individuals cannot maintain appropriate social distancing.”
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What will be the protocol if there is a confirmed COVID-19 case among a student or staff member in a school?
A. We will coordinate with the applicable county public health department (our schools serve students in 3 counties) in the event that a student or staff member is confirmed to have a case of COVID-19. Notification, contact tracing and testing would all take place based on the guidance of public health authorities. We recognize the desire for information about exactly what would happen in the event of a confirmed case, but our public health partners tell us that the steps to be followed vary based on the facts of a given situation. Our public health partners now have months of experience with contacting people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. We trust their expertise and know that keeping the community safe is their highest priority.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. How is air flow, quality and filtration being managed?
Our ventilation systems are maintained on a regular basis by trained staff as well as mechanical contractors in conjunction with our architect. The maintenance staff is currently checking all air units to ensure that they are properly functioning. We currently have our contractor performing routine maintenance on all of our large air handlers. They are also in the process of determining which units if any can accept higher MERV filters without causing restriction in air flow and damage to the unit itself. All of our air units are controlled by a building management system that is readily accessible by all maintenance staff and that can be adjusted as needed. This system will be monitored hourly to maintain proper air flow. Whenever possible, windows and doors will be opened to allow for the inflow of natural air, while also following state safety guidelines related to opening windows and doors. Additionally, when temperatures are above 45°F, school buses will transport passengers with roof hatches and /or windows slightly opened to provide air flow.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What options will families have who need to work earlier than the school day or after the day ends?
We are currently working with our partners at the Schenectady JCC to explore options for childcare within the district. More information will be provided as soon as it is available. You can find other childcare resources in the region on this page: https://www.niskayunaschools.org/childcare-school-reopening/. Please contact the provider of your choice.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. How long does the health screening take?
A. It should take less than 5 minutes the first time. As with any process, it will become faster as families become more familiar with it.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. If 5th graders go to the middle schools, won’t those schools then be operating with a similar number of students as they normally have?
A. Moving 5th grade students to the middle schools allows K-6 students to attend school every day and maintains social distancing requirements. Students will remain in their classrooms, reducing movement in hallways.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What happens if a student or family member becomes ill and must be quarantined? Will they automatically become part of the all-remote option? Will they be able to return to on-site learning when the quarantine is over?
A. Students will be able to join the virtual class meetings from home following the same schedule as students whose families have opted for all-remote learning. Following the quarantine period, our expectation is that a student would return to school although we expect to have more detailed protocols for this process in place.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020
Q. What is the status of interscholastic athletics?
As of now, interscholastic athletics for the fall is on hold until at least Sept. 21. We will update this answer when additional information is available.
Last updated Aug. 11, 2020